Orientation system



Aug. 4, 1953 I N. E. KLEIN ETAL ORIENTATION SYSTEM s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6, 1944 I 11.? .vIll I NORMA/V E. KL E/IV JAY W WR/GHT Aug. 4, 1953 N. E. KLEIN ETAL ORIENTATION SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1944 jwuem tow NORMA/V E KLEIN JAY W WRIGHT Aug. 4, 1953 N. E. KLEIN ETAL 2,648,042

ORIENTATION SYSTEM Filed July 6, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 NORMAN E KLEIN JAY W WRIGHT glwue/wtow Aug. 4, 1953 N. E. KLEIN ETAL 2,648,042

ORIENTATION SYSTEM Filed July 6, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gwue/rvtow NORMA/V E KLEIN JAX W WRIGHT ww/d/f f N. E. KLEIN ET AL Aug. 4, 1953 Filed July 6, 1944 NORMA/V E KL El/V JAY w. w

RIGHT Patented Aug. 4, 1953 2,848,042 ORIENTATION SYSTEM Norman E. Klein, Garden City, and Jay W. Wright, Manhasset, N. Y., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Application July 6, 1944, Serial No. 543,696

1 Claim.

This invention relates to orientation systems for maintaining a plane substantially normal to a relatively uniform magnetic field, and more particularly to orientation systems for use in conjunction with portable magnetometers.

In magnetometer systems the detector-magnetometer element is ordinarily so arranged that it may be maintained in substantial alignment with the direction of the uniform magnetic field to be investigated. In many such systems, the detector-magnetometer element is, for ease of construction, mounted substantially perpendicularly to a supporting plane. When systems of this type are arranged to be operated from a moving carrier and to measure variations in the earths magnetic field, it is necessary to orient the supporting plane in space to maintain alignment of the detector-magnetometer element with the magnetic field irrespective of motion of the carrier. Thus, if an aircraft is used as the carrier, the orientation systems must provide means for stabilizing the detector-magnetometer element at all times for changes in the attitude of the carrier occurring during maneuvers such as climbs, dives, banks, and turns. Furthermore, if the field to be investigated is the earths magnetic field, orientation adjustments must be made to compensate for changes in the magnetic dip which varies with the geographical location of the carrier.

Due to the fact that aircraft can cover great distances in relatively short periods of time, it is, desirable that the orientation system be arranged for operation in any geographical area. To meet this requirement, the orientation system would have to be capable of maintaining alignment as the dip angle varied between +90 and -90 measured from the horizontal. However, since the polarity of the dip angle reverses at the magnetic equator (zero dip angle), the demands on the orientation system may be lessened considerably by providing means for turning over the detector-magnetometer element as the equator is passed. Conveniently, this may be done electrically by means of suitable reversing switches. For operation in areas near the magnetic equator, however, it is often inconvenient to perform the switching operation whenever the equator is crossed. It is desirable, therefore, to provide some overlap such that the orientation system as arranged for use in the northern hemisphere can be used without switching in the equatorial portions of the southern hemisphere, and vice versa.

In view of the above, minimum requirements upon the orientation system are that it maintain the magnetometer element in substantial alignment with the earth's magnetic field over dip angle ranges extending from to approximately l5 and from -90 to approximately +15, the latter range being obtained by switching, and that such alignment be maintained irrespective of the normal changes in attitude of the carrier.

It will be understood, therefore, that in order to meet the requirements set forth above as the carrier makes a 360 turn, the orientation system must provide means for rotating the detector-, magnetometer element through a complete revolution about a vertical axis extending through the center of the detector-magnetometer element, the longitudinal axis of this magnetometer element forming an angle of 90 minus the prevailing dip angle with the vertical axis. If, as suggested above, the detector-magnetometer element is supported by a mounting plane extending normal thereto at its midpoint, the orientation system must rotate the plane about a vertical axis extending through the junction of the magnetometer element and the plane, the plane forming an angle with this axis equal to the dip angle.

Heretofore, and as disclosed in copending applications Serial No. 529,003, filed March 31, 1944, Magnetic Stabilization System, Donald G. C. Hare, and Serial No. 532,144, filed April 21, 1944, Orientation System, Otto H. Schmitt, orientation systems have been provided in which adjustments of the orientation of a plane about two substantially mutually perpendicular axes, one of which is fixed in the carrier, were effected by means of a magnetic stabilization system. In each of the systems therein disclosed the fixed axis of rotation was horizontal, and definite mechanical limitations were imposed upon rotation about the two. axes by the connecting wires associated with the magnetometers, these necessarily being of finite length. Orientation systems of this type can, through combinations of rotations about the two axes above mentioned, effect suitable rotations of the plane about the vertical axis defined above so long as the dip angle is between +90 and approximately +30 or between -30 and 90. As the dip angle reaches zero,. the rotation about the nonvfixed rotational axis must be continuous.

If the fixed axis of the system mentioned above is supported vertically,. the operating limits of the orientation system are changed, and the unit is then suitable for use in equatorial region but not in polar regions where rotation of the nonfixed axis must again be continuous. While such continuous rotation may be achieved through the use of slip rings in the electrical circuits, this construction is disadvantageous due to the mechanical friction and increased susceptibility to electrical noise introduced thereby.

In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide an orientation system capable of producing a complete and continuous rotation "of a plane in space, irrespective of the prevailing magnetic dip angle and irrespective of. ordinary maneuvers of the carrier upon which it is mounted, without requiring the use of slip rings or similar devices.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an orientation system in which the necessary orienting movements are effected automatically and without necessitating mechanical adjustments of the system.

Accordingly, the invention provides in one 'aspect, in an orientation system for maintaining a plane substantially normal to a relatively uniform magnetic field, a gi'rnb'al suspension supporting the plane for rotation about inner and outer gimbal axes, means supporting the gimbal suspension for rotation about a third axis substan-. tially perpendicular to the outer gimbal axis, means sensitive to changes in the direction of the magnetic field in respect to the plane for controlling orienting rotations of the plane about the gimbal axis, and means sensitive to rotation of the plane about the inner gimbal axis for controlling rotations of the gimbal suspension about the third axis.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the mechanical arrangements of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing schematically electrical circuits and control in'eans for operating the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, the mechanical connections thereof also being shown schematically; and

Figs. 3-11 are schematic diagrams showing the relative positions of the supporting means for the magnetometer element for various headings of the carrier at the magnetic equator.

Conveniently, and as shown in Fig. 1, the'detector-magnetometer element is mounted on a supporting plate [9' on which also are mounted the several magnetometer elements comprising a portion of the orientation system, this arrangemerit preferably being similar to that disclosed in copending application Serial No. 535,158, filed May 11, 1944, Magnetomete'r Head, Walter H. Brattain, Norn'ian Klein and Max S. Richardson, now Patent No. 2,605,344, July 29, 1952. Thus, the detector-magnetometer element is mounted in a tube i2 normal to supporting plate Ili at its approximate center, and paired orientormagnetometer elements [4 and 26 are mounted in square configuration on the plate centered about the axis or detector-magnetometer element tube 12.

Plate it is mounted for rotation about axis AA' in bearings supported by gimbal ring 18 Gi'mbal ring 53 is mounted for rotation about axis BB' in bearings 20, supported by gimbal fork 22. This fork is in turn secured to shaft 24, which is journaled in bearings 26 and 2 8, mounted respectively on support members 30 and 32, for rotation about axis C'C'.

In the following description, axis A-A' form:- ing the inner axis of a gimbal system will be re- 4 H ferred to as the inner axis. Similarly, axis BB', which forms the outer axis of the gimbal system, will be referred to as the outer axis; and axis C-C, about which the entire gimbal system may be rotated, will be referred to as the third axis.

Due to thefact that several conductors must connect the various magnetometer elements with electronic equipment fixed in the carrier, rotations about each of the inner, outer and third axes are limited by suitable stops not shown in 1 the drawings.

Rotations about each of the three axes above defined may conveniently be effected by means of separate electric motors. In some cases demands upon the rotations about two of the three axes may be such that one motor may be utilized to effect the required rotations about these two axes. In this event, the two axes may conveniently be coupled together mechanically, the specific mechanism useddepcnding upon the type of function relating their rotations.

In the arrangement to be described, separate motors were used to effect each of the three ro tations and these were caused appropriately to operate by means of electronic control systems in response to control signals derived from the several orientor magnetometers and additional control signal sources.

Thus, rotations of plate It about the inner axis are efiected by means of inner axis motor 34, mounted on a supporting member 36 secured to shaft 24. This motor drives bevel gear 38 through universal coupling 40 and shaft 42. Bevel gear 38 engages a similar gear 44, mounted on transfer shaft 45 which is mounted in alignment with the outer axis and journaled for rotation within but independently of the bearing structure suppoi'te ing gimbal ring l8 for rotation about that axis. The rotation of transfer shaft 45 is transmitted through spur gear 48 to segmental ring gear 5t, secured to plate [0. It will be understood that this transmission system is so arranged that roe tations of plate it about the inner axis will have no effect upon the position of gimbal ring 18 about the outer axis, and that rotations of gimbal :8 about the outer axis will have minimum effect uponthe angular position of plate IQ about the inner axis.

Rotations ofgimbal ring i8 about the outer axis are effected by means of outer axis motor 52 also mounted on support member 36', which drives spur gear 54 through universal coupling '55 and drive shaft 58. Rotation of shaft ts is transmit ted through spur gear 54 to ring'gear 60, mounted on gimbal ring 18 with its axis in alignment with the outer axis of the gimbal system.

Rotation of the entire gimbalassembly about the third axis is efiected by means of third axis motor 62, mounted on support member 36. This motor rotates shaft 64 in bearing 63, which is supported by housing 88 secured to shaft 24. Spur gear 19, mounted on shaft '64, engages circular rack 72, secured to support member 32, thereby causing rotations of the entire system about th e'third axis.

Although gear-"drive connections have been described and shown, it will be understood that the rotatio'nfof the several parts of the orientation system "about the various axes by the drive motors may be eif'ec'ted through any suitable trans mission arrangement. Thus, pulleys and belts or friction-drive arrangements may be used'if desired. R otations of inner and outer axis motors 34 'az'rdtt'ar'e controlled by means of paired magnetometer elements I! and I8, respectively, the

output signals from which actuate electronic conexcitation is supplied to one winding of each of these motors from oscillator 14, a 90 phase shift being introduced by means of a suitable phase shifter 80. The outputs from the two stabilizer units are applied to the remaining windings of the respective motors, the shafts of which are shown schematically connected to the magnetometer head by means of dashed lines 42 and 58 in Fig. 2. The control system just described is in all respects similar to that disclosed in the copending application last referred to, to which reference is made for a more detailed description.

The third axis motor is arranged for control by means of devices sensitive to rotations of support plate 18 of Fig. 1 about the inner axis. Conveniently, this control is so arranged that rotations produced by third axis motor 62 about the third axis are approximately proportional to rotations of plate In about the inner axis. In one form,

this control system may comprise means for generating an E. M. F., the amplitude and phase of which depend upon the extent and direction of rotation of plate about the inner axis, means for generating a second F., the amplitude and phase of which depend upon the extent and direction of rotation of the gimbal unit about the third axis, and means for utilizing the algebraic sum of these E. M. F.s to control the third axis motor.

Conveniently, the control E. M. F. dependent upon the rotation of plate I 8 about the inner axis is generated in a pair of pickup coils 82, mounted on gimbal ring 18, and arranged to measure the magnetic flux from the detector-magnetometer element contained in tube [2. Such detector element may comprise a strip of high-permeability material about which a pair of pickup coils are wound, these coils being arranged also to receive excitation for the magnetometer element from oscillator 14. Conveniently, this excitation is so applied that like magnetic poles are'produced at the ends of the detector-magnetometer strip and at the center thereof. Thus, the magnetic flux lines extend between the ends of the detector strip and the center thereof, the flux flowing simultaneously from both ends to the center or vice versa.

Pickup coils 82 are wound about axis normal to the plane of gimbal ring [8 and the turns thereof are thus adapted to be linked by the flux from the detector-magnetometer element. When there is no rotation of plate l0 about the inner axis, that is, when plate l0 and gimbal ring l8 lie in the same plane, the two sets of flux lines between the ends of the detector magnetometer and its center link each of pickup coils 82 in equal amounts and in opposite directions. Consequent- 1y, no E. M. F. is generated in these coils.

As soon as plate l8 rotates about the inner axis. the flux linkage through pickup coils 82 becomes unbalanced-andan E. M. F. is generated. The

generated E. M. F. is either in phase or 186' out of phase with the detector-magnetometer excitation depending upon which end of the detector magnetometer moves toward the pickup coils, while its amplitude depends upon the extent of such motion. Pickup coils 82 are connected in a seriesaiding arrangement which serves merely to increase the E. M. F. generated by the flux from the detector magnetometer.

A control E. M. F., proportional to rotation of the gimbal suspension about the third axis, is generated in pickup coil 84, which is arranged to sample the field of an auxiliary magnetic field source mounted on support 32. The auxiliary field source comprises magnetic strip member 88 and two exciting coils 88, which are wound thereon. Excitation is supplied to these coils directly from oscillator 14 and is, therefore, in phase with the excitation supplied to the detector-magnetometer element. The connections to the two exciting coils 88 are so arranged that unlike. poles are produced at the ends of magnetic strip member 86. The flux lines therefrom, thus extend from one end of the strip member to the other. Pickup coil 84 is mounted on an extension of housin 88 with its axis normal to magnetic strip member 86. Coil 84 is thus arranged to rotate with the gimbal assembly about the third axis in respect to the fixed auxiliary field assembly.

When the gimbal assemly is midway between the limits of its rotation about the third axis. pickup coil 84 is so positioned in respect to magnetic strip member 86 that the flux flowing from one end of strip member 86 to the other is normal to the turns of the coil and a minimum E. M. F. is generated. .As the assembly rotates about the third axis, however, the fiux lines from strip member 86 link the turns of pickup coil 84 and an appreciable E. M. F. is generated therein. This E. M. F. is either in phase or 180 out of phase with the excitation to strip member 86, depending upon the direction of rotation about the third axis, and has a magnitude dependent upon the extent of such rotation.

As shown in Fig. 2, pickup coil 84 is connected in series with pickup coils 82 and the circuit is so arranged that the E. M. F. generated in the former is in phase opposition with that generated in the latter. The resultant E. M. F. is applied through a phase-shiftingnetwork 90 to amplifier and filter circuits indicated at 92. The output of these circuits is applied to one field winding of two-phase third axis motor 62. Excitation for the other field winding of this motor is supplied by oscillator 14, the output of which is amplified in amplifier 94 and applied to the motor, such excitation being in phase with that supplied to the detector-magnetometer element.

In the operation of the third axis control system, let it be assumed that plate [0 is in alignment with gimbal ring l8 and that the entire unit is midway between the limits of its rotation about the third axis. Then, it will be seen that whenever plate l8 departs from this initial position, an E. M. F. is generated in pickup coils 82, and applied through phase shifter 90 and amplifier 92 to the third axis motor. Since there has been no rotation about the third axis, the E. M. F. from pickup coils 82 is unopposed and the entire E. M. F. is applied to phase shifter acsaoca 7v eter excitation and with that supplied to the constant field of the third axis motor. Due to the action of phase shifter 90, the excitation applied to the variable field of the third axis motor either leads or lags the constant field excitation by 90 and consequently causes the motor to run. The phase relations between the excitation applied to the two motor fields are such that the motor tends to rotate the gimbal assembly about the third axis in the same sense as the rotation of plate l about the inner axis.

As soon as rotation of the gimbal system about the third axis begins, however, an E. M. F. in phase opposition to that generated in pickup-coils 82 is generated in pickup 00118.4. Thus, depending upon the relative magnitudes of the E. M. Ffs generated in the two sets of pickup coils, the rotation of the gimbal system about the third axis bears a definite relation to the rotation of plate 10 about the inner axis. Furthermore, as soon as rotation of plate l0 about the inner axis stops, the third axis motor is decelerated and stops when the angle through which the gimbal assembly has turned about the third axis bears a chosen relation to the angle of rotation .of plate 10 about the inner axis.

Preferably, the control circuits and drive means are so arranged that the angular rotation of the gimbal system about the third axis .is approximately equal to the rotation of plate 10 about the inner axis. This condition is met when the proportionality constant relating .the two rotations is approximately unity. It will be understood, ThQWGYBI, .that other proportionality constants .of :the .same order of magnitude may be required, .depending upon the relative limits imposed .upon the rotations ,of the various units ofztheisystem about .the three vaxes.

:Operationof the.orientati,on system abovede- .scribed :may ;be .understood by a consideration of the relative angular positions taken by detectoriplate ;i 0,;i-nner gimbal l8 and, gimbal fork -22 asthe carrier performs normal mane er and;as;the:magnetic dip angle varies. As indicated above, rotations about the innerand outer gimhaLaXes to {maintain th zmaenetometereleiment fin alignm nt wit th dire t on of th .uniiormmagneticnelda e ected :hymeans of nanorientationsystem h as,;f. .-r exampl th t dis losed fin conendin a plicati n s eri l N 532.14 If-.the carrier;ba ks and urnsonp t h .in .p 1ar;latituiies,ali nment may e mainta ne sa isfact rily y iotationsronly ab n z he inner and outeraxe -A t e equatorial re ions :are appro ched.h wever, th s p provided :to .Dre-

vent continuous rotation.- about either the; inner or outer ,axis prevent proper iolimitation ;of :the de c or-el ment i W ll J e-seen, thereforeathat the most severe irequiren' ents are placed -upon the operation of the orientation system;at.-or near the ;magnetic requator. It is convenient,

. then, to :Qonsiderthe :operation. of -;the third axis control in :conjunction with .that ;-for :the sinner and er axe :a h netic iequator.

In.- Figs-4311.1, the; successive relative-positions .of thedetector-platesll), the gimbal ring l8-and ;thergimbal :fo11k322 are shown .-.as the carrier makes. .a 36.0? :turn ,to tthe right at :-the .--eq=uator. :EOI' eas cof illustratiom-ritis .assumeda-in these fi uresthanthepronortionality constant relatin ,to,rot ation of the parts -about-the inner and .third .-axes.is;-u-nity. ;The eflect oth mkpfrthe .carrier; is. not. shownl-but will be discussed later. ..The .north=seeking rend :of the .-,1d8tector- -rnag- ,netometerr elementlis indicated by .the arrow head in each figure, and it is assumed that the orientation system is mounted in the carrier in such a manner that the third axis is parallel to the fore-and-aft axis thereof, and that the gimbal fork opening is toward the nose of the carrier.

In Fig. 3, the relative positions of the several parts are indicated schematically as the carrier moves on a north heading at the equator. It will appear that, through the operation of the inner and outer axis motors 3.4 and 52, the detector plate I has been oriented in a vertical eastrwQst plane. It will be further noted that, under these conditions, the outer axis is substantially horizontal, that is, the gimbal fork 2 2 is substantially half way between the limits of its travel if it is assumed that the carrier is on an even keel.

It will be seen that, in order to maintain the desired alignment between the magnetometer element and the magnetic field, the plane of the detector plate 0 must, at all times, lie in the vertical east-west plane irrespective of motion of the carrier. Fig. 4 shows conditions at the beginning of the 360 turn to the right. In this case, therefore, the inner axis orientation system begins to rotate detector plate I 0 toward theleft about the inner axis.

As .soon as detector plate l0 begins to rotate,

it will be seen thata control E. M. F. proportional to therotation of detector plate it] about theinner axis willbe generated inpickup coils;82. This E. M. F. causes rotation of third axis rnotor fl in theproper directionto tiltgiinbal fork i2 2 abo ut the third axis, the rotation of the gimbal fork 4 about this axis being equal to thatof the detector plateabout-theinner-axis duetothe unity proportionality constant assumed above. Thus, the end of theouter axis indicated by B in that figure begins to rise. This would, if not.com p ensated for, tend to .disorient the detector magnetometer. Outer axis motor Si-therefore, v bein .tO tilt gimbal ring .18 about the outer axis to maintain alignment between the detectornagnetometer element and the magnetic field, ;the.effect.of this rotation being to maintaingimb a1 plate -l0 in the vertical east-westfplaneias r qui a.

,As the turncontinues, each of the rotations .just described continues, bringing thepa rtsto the .relative ,positions shown in Fig. .5 which repre- ,sentsthe, conditions existing after thecarrier has turned through approximatelydfi".

Inliig. 6, the relative positions of the parts are shown after the. carrierhascompleted a 9l) turn. .It willbe noted,that rotation of gimbalfork 22, about the third .axis, has continued .until the .endof theouter axis indicatted by B has'been liftedsufilciently'to allow passage of the detector- ;magnetometer element beneath 1 that end of rthe 6 gimbal fork. Compensating rotations aboutthe outer axis have continued until gimbal ring [8 occupies the. position shown in thisfigure. Thus it ,Will be seen; that; detectonplate 5 I I); has rotated .through an angle of approximately .45" about the inner axis, gimbal ringv L8 hasrotated through ;an angle of .approximately-- aboutthe outer axis,.;and gimbal fork 22 has, due to the choice of ;unity proportionality constant, rotated through an equal angle. of approximately 45 about the 'third, axis. The plane. of detector plate lll still 'l-ies; in: the. vertical east-west plane although. the plate itself hasbeenrotated about the.longitudi nal;ax is of the detector-magnetometer .elem n to h t ositien' h w Fi 5 he -th a i a t i ls sbe ribefi sition shown in Fig. 6, the counter E. genandconsequentreversal inph ase of the E ..;M.

generated in pickup coils 82. Girnbal fork 22, therefore, reverses its rotation about the third axis and begins to return to its initial position.

As the turn continues, the parts reach the positions shown in Fig. 8, which represents the conditions existing after a 180 turn. It will be seen from this figure that gimbal fork 22 has returned to its initial angular position about the third axis, while gimbal ring [8 has turned through 180 about the outer axis. Due to the reversal in the direction of detector plate l0, however, this plate has returned to its initial position in respect to gimbal ring I8. Since both plate In and gimbal fork 22 occupy their original positions, no control E. M. F. is applied to third axis motor 62 and the motor stops.

As the carrier continues to turn, the inner axis motor again rotates detector plate In about the inner axis. This time, however, due to the 180 rotation of gimbal ring l8 about the outer axis, the rotation is in the opposite sense to that caused by the inner axis motor at the initiation of the turn. The E. M. F. generated in pickup coils 82, therefore, tends to cause rotation of gimbal fork 22 in a direction opposite to that of its initial rotation, causing the end of the outer axis indicated at B to rise. Such rotation about the third axis, however, again necessitates rotation of gimbal fork l8 about the outer axis to maintain the desired alignment of the deteeter-magnetometer element. In this case, rotation about the outer axis is also in the opposite sense to that noted during the first portion of the turn. The relative positions of the parts under these conditions are shown in Fig. 9.

As the turn continues, the parts reach the positions shown in Fig. 10, which represents the conditions existing after a 270 turn. Rotation about the inner axis has continued until detector plate II! has again turned through an angle of approximately 45. Gimbal ring l8 has turned through 90, while gimbal fork 22 has rotated through approximately 45, its angular movement being equal to that of detector plate 10 about the inner axis. At this position also, the plane of detector plate It continues to lie in the east-West vertical plane.

The relative positions of the various parts, as the turn continues, are shown in Fig. 11. Rotation about the outer axis has continued, necessitating reversal of the rotation of detector plate I about the inner axis. Such reversal of rotation of the detector plate causes reversal of the rotation of gimbal fork 22 about the third axis, thus tending to return the gimbal fork to its initial horizontal position.

From the above, it will be seen that detector plate ID has been rotated through 360 in respect to the carrier and that this has been accomplished without necessitating continuous 360 rotation about any of the three supporting axes. If operation takes place in latitudes such that the magnetic dip angle is appreciably greater than t demands upon the orientation system are v .10 7 somewhat reduced. Under such conditions, ro-. tationsabout the three axes are through smaller angles and no difficulty is experienced in maintaining alignment of the detector-magnetometer element with the magnetic field.

In'the foregoing, it has been assumed that the carrier did not bank as it turned. Consideration of Figs. 3-11 of the drawings will show that. if the. carrier banks, rotations about the third axis must be made accordingly to compensate for the misalignment between the detector-magnetometer element and the magnetic field which would otherwise be created. In addition, it will be seen that, if operation is continued in regions south of the magnetic equator when the orientation systems and detector magnetometer are arranged for operation in the northern hemisphere (as shown in Figs. 3- 11), rotations about the inner and outer gimbal axes must be increased accordingly. For these reasons, the orientation system when so arranged will operate for only a relatively short distance beyond the magneto equator, the exact distance being dependent upon the degree of bank of the carrier as it turns. Operation in the southern hemisphere and for short distances north of the equator may be had, as pointed out above, by effectively turning over the detector-magnetometer element.

In one successful orientation system accord ing to the invention, mechanical construction imposed the following limits upon the rotations about the three supporting axes: Detector plate l0 was arranged to rotate through angles of :725', measured from the plane of gimbal ring l8; gimbal ring I8 was arranged to rotate about the outer axis through an angle of 1-131, measured from the plane of gimbal fork 22; and gimbal fork 22 was arranged to rotate about the third axis through an angle of :63", measured from the horizontal plane. With these limitations, alignment could be maintained, with the system arranged for northern hemisphere operation, in all regions in the northern hemisphere and beyond the equator to locations at which the dip angle approached 10, so long as the bank of the aircraft while turning did not exceed 475 and so long as the aircraft did not pitch during turns. For turns requiring smaller bank angles, operation could be extended further to the south.

A multi-contact switch is incorporated for the purpose of turning over the detector electrically, thereby to adapt the orientation system as arranged for operation in the northern hemisphere for use in the southern hemisphere and at latitudes north of the equator such that the dip angle does not exceed -10". This switch includes contacts in a circuit (not shown) to reverse the polarity of the bias current supplied to the detector-magnetomotor element and contacts 93 to reverse the phase of the excitation supplied to the orientor-magnetometer elements.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

In an orientation system for maintaining a plane substantially normal to a relatively uniform magnetic field: a gimbal suspension supporting said plane for rotation about inner and outer gimbal axes; means supporting said gimbal suspension for rotation about a third axis substantially perpendicular to said outer gimbal axis; drive means for rotating said plane about said inner and outer axis; means sensi- 1 1 tive to changes in the direction oi said magnetic field in respect to said plane for controlling said drive means; drive means for rotating said gimbal suspension about said third axis; and control means for said last-mentioned drive means comprising means mounted on said plane for producing a first local magnetic field, means fixed in respect to said inner ginibal axis for sampling said first local magnetic field, means fixed in respectto said third axis for producing a second local magnetic field, means rotatable with said third axis for sampling said second 12 local magnetic field, and means utilizing the algebraic sum of the outputs of said sampling means for controlling said last-mentioned drive means.

NORMAN E. KLEIN. JAY W. WRIGHT.

Name Date Hull Apr. 26, 1949 Number 

